Why do I have a chronic cough with normal test results?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been coughing for more than six months, and my chest X-ray came back normal. My sputum is negative. I just got antibiotics.

Please advise what could be the cause.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

You have had a cough for more than six months. It is called a chronic cough. It can be due to the following reasons:

Tuberculosis (a bacterial infection) was ruled out in your case.
Chronic bronchitis (an inflammatory condition of the airways) is seen in elderly smokers. Since you are young, and I assume you do not smoke, that is also unlikely. If you do smoke, please stop, as it may be the cause of a chronic cough.
Post-COVID (coronavirus disease) bronchitis is seen in patients who had COVID.
Viral bronchitis (an inflammation of the airways caused by viruses).
Allergic bronchitis (airway inflammation caused by breathing in allergens).
Hidden infections in the lungs.

Now, treatment for points three and four is similar. You need to take the following medications for five days, and you will be completely fine:

Tablet Medrol (Methylprednisolone) 4 mg (milligrams) twice daily for three days, then 4 mg once a day for three days, then stop.
Tablet Dazit-M (Desloratadine (5 mg) and Montelukast (10 mg)), one tablet at night.
Tablet Azithromycin 500 mg once a day.
Syrup Lupituss (Levocloperastine) two teaspoonfuls thrice daily.

For the fifth point, that is allergic bronchitis, the above-mentioned treatment will work, but you need to take a few precautions, for example:

Always wear a mask while going out.
Avoid pollen and dust as much as possible.
Prefer traveling in a four-wheeler rather than a two-wheeler.

For the sixth point, we will need a CECT scan (contrast-enhanced computed tomography) of the chest, and treatment will be planned after the report.

So, my advice to you is to please take this treatment and wait for the response. There is a 90 percent chance that your cough will be gone by the seventh day, but if it still persists, we should go ahead with the CECT scan.

You can discuss the reports with me here or with your local physician, as suitable.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.